Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-07-16
The MadisOn's Butler.
nv vprrH EVELYN BIGELow.

no.orvsnt question would be the death
=. nsr The question" with her
mo,rt generally. how long will the
newly acquainted domestic remain on
,hs field Of his or her present useful
pess-Or uselessness
Mrs. Madison was rich in this worlds
roods. She had an lndulgent husband.
charming children. a more than COM
Portable income. and enough beauty to
make her very pleasant to look upon.
But all these gifts of a kind Providence
were rs nothing weighed in the balance
arainst the crushing fact that every one
Of the Madison buffers was worse than
hs predecessors. The poor lady had
tired every nationality, as she said, ex-
crpt the Chinese; there she drew the
Inc, The lrishmen need no descrip-
ton. We in America have all suffered.
The colored men were wofully lacking
in style" The Swedes were merce-
nary and would leave in hope of high
er wages. The Germans were too
something-'I forget what" Mrs.
Madison would say, in recounting her
woes to an intimate friend, land the
Frenchmen too. sometimes or other
else; and really. my dear. if you notice
several gray hairs under my bonnet l
am not surprised. But what can 1
do' George will give dinners. and will
not have woman wait at table"
At the time when this veracious his
tory opens, the latest venture in the
pantry-line had proved to be a COM
plete failure, and was to depart on the
morrow.
Mrs. Madison sat in her charming
sitting-room. over a wood fire, with
the hOt-water kettle kissing genially
among its companion tea-thlngs.
which had been brought in for the last
time bv the present incumbent
Opposite TO her was her sister. Sylvia
Arden. She had just came in from
walking. and her long sealskin gar
ment was thrown open as she sat toast
ing her cold feet and drawing off her
gloves
She was one of the prettiest girls in
New York, which means that she was
very lovely indeed.
shall you have that dinner on the
18th, Maud?" asked the young lady.
She rose as she spoke, and divested
herself of her furs, and as she did so
one saw what 1.-the and shapely fig
ure she had.
lit all depends upon the butler"
said her sister. George will get some
body to-day,-goodness knows what.
"An Irishman. probably" said Syl-
via. "All our French dressmakers are
Irish. Our city is ruled by the Irish;
our policemen are Irish; why not our
butlers?"
Il should think you were Irish your
self, dear, from what you say" said
Mrs. Madison, laughing. '.Ah. there's
Georges key in the door. Now we
shall see what news he brings"
In moment or two the master of
tne mousse entered.
He took the cup of tea which his wife
had poured out. Then, seating him.
self. he said, well. have got him"
"Who?" asked his wife, mischiev-
ously.
Patrick O'Mullgan?"
NO. John Parkins,-an English
man."
WAS there ever an Englishman who
wasn't named John?" said Sylvia
'Go0d references. of course" said
Mrs. Madison, with grim sarcasm.
They always have"
No" said her husband, cheerfully.
''NOne at all"
Mrs. Madison was quite quiet.
You are tired of the silver, then ~
mot at all; but he won't take the
silver. If there is anything dishonest
about John Parkens. then am wofully
mistaken"
You generally are," said his wife.
drylv.
Thank you. madam. No, he may
" oe little green, but he is one of the
nnest looking men ever saw"
DO you remember our British Ado
u asked Sylvia, =" when he hand
cu round the lobster in kitchen jug.
ana then put himself into the dumb
water instead of the empty dishes. ?"
Am likely to forget it ?''
Then why" said Mrs. Madison.
win sudden asperity. do you subject
Us TO similar experience How can
You Or ne man without reference in
to my house ?''
=, On the same principle" said Mr..
madison, setting down his cup with
perfect imperturbabilty. that YOU once
salu YOU would advertise for an athe-
ist' having tried every religion in the
nousemaid line and failed lamentably
win all the seets represented. lam
",eu OF the men who have lived with
at the English aristocracy. Now, Par
MIS- assures me that he hasn't lived
win any of them. He has the face of
an honest, steady man: and he tells
me mat he is willing to learn"
NILS ..trs Madison gave mock groan. "
na' means that l am willing To
teach, said she.
1hI are We TO have the Bellingers
on the l5tha asked sylvia
All means. " said her brother-in-
Jaw. And so the conversation endad
me next day. it being the lst of the
.nsn ~ promptly at the hour agreed
s'a' Joan Parkins presented himself
.